Fuel-feed system.



H. wl. HAMILTON. FUVEL FEED SYSTEM. APPLICATION FILED FEB. 28.1916.

Patented July 11, 1916.

Wl TN E SSE 8:

HARRY W. HAMILTON, QF N'DNAPOLIS, NDIANA.

sunt-nnen svs'rniu.

insonni.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patenten muy ii, i916.

Application l'ed February 28, 1916. Serial No. 80,806.

To al?, whom it may concern y Be it known that l, HARRY W. HAMnJroN, a citizen of the. United States, residing at indianapolis` in the county of Marion an.d State oi' Indiana, have `invented a new and.

useful Fuel-Feed System, of which the following is a specification.

InA many modern automobiles, the fuel supply tank is placed so low that the feedV of the fuel from such tank vto the carbureter cannot be obtained by gravity. ,Therefore various schemes have been used for feeding gasolene from such a tank to the carbureter.

My invention relates to devices of thisy kind.

produced in the intake pipe of the engine Itsobject is to utilize the vacuum for obtaining this fuel feed, and to avoid the diiculties which have been encountered with prior constructions, and at the same time to simplify the construction. Among these diflculties may be mentioned the liability of flooding the feed device with fuel on rough roads, when the fuel supplytank is elevatedjvhich flooding has frequently resulted in fires which totally destroyed the automobile; the Anecessity for lifting the;v

'fuel from the main supply tank to the feed device anew at each operation; the lloss ofr manifold l2 which is supplied from a carbui-eter 13. which is usually near the engine 10. ln many cases, the fuel supply tank 14 is carried at the rear of the car, and is so low that a gravity feed from. it to the lcarbureter is not possible, thefuel supply tank in many instances being lower than thev carburetor when the automobile stands level. In order to feed the gasolene from the y supply tank 14 to the carbureter 13, I provide my improved feed device 20. This feed device in its preferred forml comprises a Lpipe 27 below the check valve 28; the

central metal annulus ,21, upper and lower glass tubes 2.2 and 23, and upper and lower' clamping plates 24 and 25, the Whole being c clamped together by bolts intercomiecting the two clamping plates 24 and 25 around the outside of the annulus'21and the glass tubes 22 and 23. f These parts form a uni- ,tary chamber 26. This chamber is connectedto the fuel bowl of the carbureter 1.3 by a pipe 27, whichy enters the chamber 26 through the bottoni clamping plate 25 and 4is provided with a check valve 28 which permits flow of liquid only from the chamber 26 to the carbureter 13 and not in the'k lreverse direction, so that any fuel Ain the chamber 26 will flow through the carbureter y1,3 in accordance with the requirements of the latter, and backlow is prevented. The

chamber 26 is connected to the intake inani- 4fold 12 by a pipe 29. which communicates with the chamber 26 through the upper lclamping plate 24, and is provided at. its entrance with a valve seat 30 for coperaytion with a needle point on the upper end of a needle valve rod 31 having' a. balland f socket connection 32 to a iioat 33 located in the lower part of the chamber 26 and con#` nected bv a hinge 34 to a downwardly projectingrfnger from the annulu's 21. The

valve *36--31 is closed when the fuel level `rises in the chamber 26` and isopened when such fuel'level Jfalls suliiciently. rlhe chamber 26 is connected to the lower part oi the luel supply tank 14by a pipe 36; which is provided with a checkfvalve 37 permitting iiow of fuel only from'the supply 'tank 14 to the chamber 26 and not in the reversey 4direction. and communicates with the ehamrber 26 through a lateral opening 38,111 the shutting oiih the supply of fuel to the chamber 26 and preventing flooding. The chamber 26 is also connected lto the atmosphere through pipe 41. whichfleads to the upper seat of a double acting check valve 42 which ihas a lateral air inlet opening and a lower valve seat connectedv by a pipe 43 to the double acting check valve 42 moves ups fill ward tob prevent ingress of air from the atmosphere to the chamber 26 and permit atmospheric pressure to acl:- on the fuel in the pipe El? when the vacuum in such chamher 2li rises to a certain point, and moves downward to permit such ingress of nir to the chamber 2li and shut oll' the direct at inospheric connection to the pipe 27 when auch higher vaelnun docs not exist in the chamber Qu. The check valve 42 is higher than the highest 'fuel level in the chamber 2li. While l prefer to connect the pipe 43 to the check valve 4Q. in sonic instances. I may not do so, hut inav have the pipe lf3 constantly open to the atmosphere at a` point higher than the highest fuel level in the ehamher :26.

.ln operation, the engine l() maintains a partial annum in lhe intake manifold 1Q. lllhen the l'uel in the chamber 2li is helow a guedeternlined level and the 'alvn lllmll is open. this vacuum is comniunieatml to the eharnhor 2li. This vacuum eauses the littinr.,1f ole the hall l2 to shut oil' the ingress ot air to such ehauiher and admit, it to the pipe 42% and 27. and also causes fuel from the supply tank ll to lloiv through the supply pipo 36, rheek alve fl?. lloat valve fill. and openingr ilu into the chamber Q6. ils the fuel level rises in lhe eliarnher 2G. it li'lits the float 35h and when a predetermined 'llel level is reached the lloat 33 closes the valve fl0--FlL `thua interrupting' connection between the chau'lher :lll and the intake manifold l2 so that as the fuel emutinuesv tor a moment to iloninlo the ehaiuher QG the vacuum in` such chamber is lost and the check valve l2 is allowed to drop so as to permit' ingresa ol: air from the atmosphere to such chamber and prevent auch ingress of air from the atmos phore to the pipe 43. The Fuel alms at all timos flows to the carhureler as demanded hv the engine. flowing' liv 1ra vity` under atmosphevie pressure. such atinoapheric pressure ou the column of liquid fuel leadingr to the carburetor :lu'avs heling maintainei'l h v the valve fl-Q. As the fuel level falle in the chamlier F26. the float 33 does not immediatelv lollow it. hut ou reason o't' the vacuum in the pipe Q9 renu'lius upraised until there has heen a eonaidf-rahle tall in the 'Fuel level. Then the float Sil drove: suddenly to open wide the valve :lll-2L thus again connecting the ehamher 3.6 with the intake manifold 12 so as; to produce a vacuum in such chamber, causing the hall 42 to rise to shut ofi the ingress of air and i'he fuel to flow in again through the pipe 3G. It desired. a alight lout motion mayv he provided in the hall and socket connection so as to permit a longer travel ol the loat 33 before the valve 30--31 is alleeted. The foregoing operation is repeated aa otten as demanded by the engine, a aubfstantialhr constant fram-'iti7 fuel supply being maintained from the chamber 26 l mi. 1,190,757

to the fuel howl of the carburetor 13. If for any reason the suppljyv tank ll is elevated, as when the automobile i5 descending a` hill, so that there will he a gravity flow from the supply tank to the chamber 26, With its consequent danger oi flooding, this gravity flow is elfectually prevented from causing flooding by the float valve 39; for if such ,f ravitji1 flow occurs and raises; the fuel level in the chamber Q6 after the float 33 has closed the'valve 30-3L such rise in 'Fuel level then acts on the float 4l) and lifts it to close the valve 39 and Stop the flow of fuel. hy gravity or otherwise` until the fuel level in the chamber Qfl falls. This makes a positive safety device. and ell'cctuallv prevents; the danger of lire *from flooding.

The check valve prevents the suction of the engine trom drawingr fuel from the fuel howl ot the carburetor into the, chamber Elli. llhe cheek valve .'37 holds the fuel in the pipe 36 always at the level of the valve 39. so that when the valve 30-3l is opened the fuel is: read)r in the pipe 3H to enter the charnher Q6. and it is uol` necesaary to reraise the fuel in the pipe 36. The valve 49,. which closes when the valve SiO-3l is opened. prevents the loss ol vacuum hy reason of the leaking in of air.

l claim as inv invention:

l. Tn coinliinatioin a liquid ehamlier havingr connections to a source oi vacuum. to a suppl \r ol" liquid. and to a device which is to he supplied with such liquid, cheek valves in said last two connections for preventing flow of liquid from and to said liquid channher respectively. and float-controllcd valves controlled hv the liquid level in Said chamher For controlling the first aud second of said eonnertioqs respectively. the floatcon trolled valve controlling said first connection operatingr at a loner liquid level than the float-eontrolleil valve eoutrollinglhe second connection.

2. Tn emnhiuation. a liquid chamber han ing: connections to a source ot vaeuuni. to a supply of liquid. and to a device which is to he supplied with such liquid. and floatrontri'illed valves eoutrolledliv the 'liquid level in said chamber for controlling lthe first and second ot' said connections respectively. the float-controlled valve controllingr said first connection operating at a lower liquid level than the float-controlled valve controlling the seeondeonneetion.

3. Tn combination. a liquid chamber having connections to a source of vacuum. to a supply of liquid, and to a device which is to he supplied with such liquid. check valves i in said last tivo connections for preventing flow of liquid from and to said liquid chamher respectively, and float-controlled valves controlled by the liquid level in said chamher for controlling: the First and second of said connections respectively.

vbe supplied with il.' ln combinationl a liquid chamber-having connections to a source Vof vacuum,to a supply of liquid, and to a devicewhich is to first and second of said connections respectively, both `said floatcontrolledy valves n spectively,

closing upon rise and opening uponfall in the liquid level in Said'fliquid chamber.

6. In combination, aliquid chamberhaving connections to a source of vacuum,7to a supply of liquid., and to a' devicelwhich is to be supplied with rnch liquid, andioat-controlled valves controlled by the liquid level in said chamber for controlling the firstl .and

second of said connections respectively,y the float-controll d valve controlling said first connection operating at a lower liquid level than the float-controlled valve controlling the second connectiom'both said fioat-controlled valves closing upon rise and opening upon fall in the liquid l'evel in said liquid chamber.

7 In combination, a liquid chamberhaving connections to a source of vacuum, to

a. supply of liquid, and'to a device which is-l to be supplied with such liquid, and floatcontrolled valves controlled"bytlicsliquid level iii saidv chamber .for controlling. the

first and second of said connections re' spectively, said liquid chamber being provided With an air admission opening'-and means for closing said air admission opening when thev float-controlled valve con,

trolling said first connectionisopen.

l 8. ln combination, a liquid hamber hav# .ing connections to a source of vacuum, to a supply of liquid. and'to a device which is to be supplied with such liquid, a float-con trollcd valve controlled by the liquid level-r in 'said chamber for controlling theiirst of s said connections, and meanscontrolled -by the vacuum in the liquid chamber for admitting atmospheric pressure'to said third vciniection independently yof the liquid chamber when said float-controlled valve is Upon.

i). In combination, a liquid chamber hav'- ing connections to a source of'vacuuimto a supply of liquid, and to a deviceqvvhichfis Y to lic supplied with such liquid, afloat-controlled valve controlled by the liquid level in said chamber for controlling the first of said connections, and unitary meansfcontrolled by the vacuum in the liquid `charnbei; for admitting atmospheric rpressureto said liquid'chainber andshutting it olf from Such liquid, and float-con# trolled valves controlled'by the 'liquid level ply tank;

than is the float-controlled valve controlling said second connection.

- connections respectively,

` [operated at,

' carbureter and the third connection save through. said chamber when ysaid float-controlled valve is CloselV and pressure n it tofsaid third connectionk independently valve is open.` f y f l j 10. link combination, aninternal 'combus-L tionengine; Vay carburetor for supplying eX-k s n plosive mixture to said engine; afuel. sup-pk and affuel rfeedy device higher for shutting' 'off atmospheric n from -"said chamber and admitting f of said chamber when said float-controlled than the carbureter and ,comprising a; fuel chamber to the intakeof said engine, to the fuel supply tanlnand lto the carbui'eterrethird connections for preventing' fuel lovv f chamber, separate kconnections from 'said fuel check valves insaid second and from and to said fuel chamber respectively,

land; fioatcqntrolled i valves controlled by ith'e yfuel level in said fuel chamber` andcon-i "trolling said first and second 'connectionsrel spectively,r the loatc'ontrolled valve" `controlling said first connection being operated at a lower k11. VIn combination, an internal combusfuel levelin said fuel chamber,r

tion engine; acarbureter forsupplying'explosive mixturefto,saidy engine; a fuel sup- 'ply tank; and a fuel' feedy device higher than ber','separate `connections from said kyfuel the carbureter and comprising a 'fuel cham-r chamber to the intake Qof said engine, to the e ,fuel Supply spectively, and float-controlledr valves rco`n`y trolled bythefuelrlevel in said fuel chaintank, andto the'carbureterre- Lber and @oncoming Said first anasecomi valve contr lling said first connection being 'ar lower 'fuel level in saidyfuel chamber thinn' i'stlie ioat-oontrolled valve controlling saidl cond connection. Q

152. In combiii.

n linternal ytion', engine; ,a'carbuieter'for supplying ex-*i plosive mixtureto said engine; a fuel supply'.

tank; and a fuel feedr device higher than the carburetor andcompiising a fuel chamber,

separate Aconnections from said fuel chamber tothe intake of said engine, to thejfuel j f supply tank, andto the carburetor respectively, check valves in saidsecond and thirt1 connections the float-controlledfy lio foi` preventing fuel flow from 1 and rto said fuel chamber respectively,-and I' `float-controlled valves controlled by-.the fuel l `level in said fuel chamber and'r controlling said first and second connections respectively.

13. In combinatiom, ank internal combusf( tion/engine; a carbureter for supplying exf i plosive mixturetosaid engine a fuel supply tank; and a fuel'feed device higher than the comprising a fuel chamber,` separate connections from saidfuelr chamber to the intake ofgsai'd` engine, to the fuel sup-r ply tank, andtov the carburetor respectively,

:nul lloul-eontrolleil valves controlled by the l'uel level in Suid fuel chamber and controllinor said first and second connections respeelll rely.

ll. ln cfnnbinatillun un internal combuslion engine; u carburetor for supplying ex plosive mixture to seid engine; a fuel supply luuk; und a fuel lcell rlevicc higher thun the curluu'eler unil comprising a fuel chamber, separate connections from said fuel cha1nlier to the intake ol said engine, to the fuel suppl)v tunlf, anll to the carburetor respeclireljl'. alul filmt-controlled valves controlled ln' the luel level in suicl fuel Chamber unil ronlrollinjr saicl lirsll` unil second connections respiu-lirelv. bolli suill llmilfeontrolled vulves rloslngrupon rise :nul opening upon fall in lhc l'uel level in will l'uel chamber.

l5. ln ronlliiiuiliion, uu internal combustion engine; a f urlmrel'er for supplying;r ex ploeire mixture lo saiil engine; a :l'uel supply lanllv: :unl a fuel leerl lleviee higher than the rurlulreler :nul comprising a luel chamber, separate conncrtioim from said l'uel chamber tu the inmli'e ol .eaill cugino lo the fuel suppliv luuk. :nul lo the cnrlnireter respectively, unil lioalronlrollcrl valves controlled by the l'uel level in saill l'uel clnunlier and controllinr` mill lil-sl :nul secolul clmnections respectively. the lloal-eoulrollell valve controlling .si-lill lirst ronnecliou being operated at a lower l'uel level in sull fuel chamber than :is

llulllrulufonlrollell vulve controllingsaid' uormul connu-tion. unil bolli said l'loubconlrullell valves closing4 upon rise and opening upon lull 1n the 'lucl level 1n said fuel rluunlier.

lll. ln conlbinaliou, un internul eomluls lion engine; a curlulrrlcr :For.supplyingr cxplosive mixture to suiul engine; a `liucl suppl)r lunll; :nul a luel leed (levier higher thun the rurlrurelor unil comprising,r a fuel chamber, suplir-alc ronneclilnls 'lroin said fuel chamber lo 'the inlulie of saiil engine, to flic luel suppl)v tank. and to the carburetor resp etivelv,

. :unl lloalfrontrolloll vulves controlled by the l'uel level in said lucl cllan'lber und eonlrolling soul first und second connectlons re- C speetively, seid fuel chamber being' provided willi un air admission opening, und means for closing said air uclulission opening when the float-controlled valve controlling said first connection is open.

17. In combination, an internal combustion engine; a carbureter 'for supplying explosive mixture to said engine; a fuel supply tunli: und u fuel feed device higher than the carburetor und comprising a fuel chamber, separate conneclions from-said fuel chamber lo the intake of said engine, to the fuel supply tank, and to the carburetor respectively, und a {lout-controlled valve controlled by the fuel level in said fuel ehzunber und controlling the irsl: of said connections, end ineens controlled by the vacuum in the'fuel chamber for admitting atmospheric pressure to suill third connection independently of the `liquid cluunber when said float-controlled valve is open.

In combination, un internal combustion engine: u carbureler for srunolyingr ex plosive mixture to said engine; a fuel supply rank; unil a luel l'eecl llevice higher than the curliureler and comprising a fuel chamber, separate connections from said fuel chamber to the intake of saiil engine, to the fuel supply tunk, and to the curhureter respeclrely, :nul u flrnibcrnibrolled Valve controlled by the fuel level in eaill fuel chamber and con trol-ling the first of said connectionsE und unitariv incline controlled by the vacuum in the luel chamber for admitting atmospheric pressure lo said fuel chiunher :ind shutting ieoll' from the thirll connection sarethrougli said chamber when saill float controlled rulve is closed :unl lor shuttingl oli utmosplicric pressure from suill chamber and aflmilling it tu saill third connection independently or' sairl chamber when said lient-coin trollecl valve is open.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto nu' hund at Indianapolis, Indiana, this 22d luy olT February, A. D. one thousand nine hundled and leixteen.

HARRY lV. HAMILTON. 

